David Cameron's hairdresser has said he hopes being awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list was because of his work in the industry rather than his relationship with the Prime Minister.

Mr Cameron has been criticised over claims of cronyism following news of Lino Carbosiero's award but the stylist, who is based at the prestigious Daniel Galvin salon in central London, said he has since found out that that he has to be nominated within his industry to be recognised.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said: "I hope it's to do with my campaigning with The Hairdressing Council, trying to push regulations throughout the industry where anyone can become a hairdresser.

"You could open up a salon tomorrow and start cutting hair, colouring hair, working with bleach. A nd what I'm trying to do is bring awareness that hairdressers throughout the country make sure their young apprentices are getting the right education and the right training to follow through in their careers."

Asked if some of the shine had been taken off receiving the honour following suggestions he was benefited because he was Mr Cameron's stylist, Mr Carbosiero, whose clients also include Kylie Minogue, Sir Paul McCartney and Dustin Hoffman, said people "knock hairdressers" but the award showed their importance in communities.

"In the last sort of 10 years more and more hairdressers are receiving the award, there's three this year," he said.

"I'm not the only hairdresser to get one. Obviously people are realising the importance of hairdressers within the community."

Mr Carbosiero, who was recognised for services to hairdressing, brushed off the idea that he had intentionally changed the Prime Minister's hairstyle, which has been the topic of much discussion in sketchwriters' columns.

The decision to move his parting from the right to the left in 2007 sparked claims he was attempting to look more "butch" or cover up a receding hairline.

Aides at the time were even quizzed about the move, which some commentators suggested reflected the political direction he was moving his party in, and insisted there was "no political significance in his decision to do so".

Mr Carbosiero said: "To be honest my clients would laugh because they actually know I never remember where the parting is.

"I go with how I feel it goes, sometimes I completely forget where it's supposed to be.

"Possibly when I did change his parting it was because that's the way I thought it should go and not realising that I'd done any major change."